Hungarian agriculture: A model for the socialist world?

Hungary's status as a model in agriculture is examined in terms of its economic, social and political performance, its planning and organizational components and the contextual factors affecting its transferability. In economic and social performance the Hungarian strategy compares favourably with the rest of Eastern Europe and the USSR. Planning and institutional factors contributing to this performance include the New Economic Mechanism planning approach, autonomous agricultural producers' co-operatives, new structures for diffusion of technology, and integration of household producers into the commodity system. While the transferability of the model remains doubtful due to factors such as size, technical base, and political choices, increased participation in the world economy may force the USSR and the rest of Eastern Europe into reforms bearing some resemblance to those in Hungary.     

A Public Choice Analysis of the Evolution of Tort Law

Abstract . In contrast to the article by W. Harris, it is contended that in the area of product liability a rule of strict liability is not necessarily less efficient than a negligence rule and an analogy between product liability cases and lotteries is not appropriate.     

Introversion-extraversion and loud commercials

The introversion-extraversion dimension of Hans Eysenck's personality theory, combined with the theory proposed by Daniel E. Berlyne that hedonic value changes with changes in arousal level, are used to examine the effect that high intensity advertising appeals have on the audience. It was hypothesized that advertising appeals presented at a higher stimulus intensity than the program in which they are imbedded (e.g., commercials presented at a higher volume) would have a differential effect on individuals due, in part, to whether they were introverts or extraverts. In a preliminary test of this hypothesis, participants were exposed to either a radio commercial played at the same volume as the program or to one that was played at a higher volume. Their attitudes toward the commercial and the product were assessed. The results indicate that there is a difference between introverts and extraverts in the resulting attitude toward the product based on the type of appeal to which they were exposed.     

Prolonged gestation: Energy efficiency and renewable energy businesses

Life cycle theories suggest that businesses evolve through a number of stages: from an embryonic stage of introduction to growth, maturity, and decline. The force that propels their development is consumer acceptance. Industries pass through life cycles as well. However, not all industries pass through each stage of the life cycle, and the duration of stages varies across industries. Some industries skip the slow introductory phase; others avoid the decline stage and are continually revitalised through technological innovation. Still others continue to show substantial promise, but fail to take-off. It is this industry condition, persistent promise without corresponding growth, that we characterise as extended gestation. We believe that energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE) businesses in Minnesota face the challenge of extended gestation. In this paper, we review the literature on the traditional stages of industry development, explore some of the factors that may lead an industry to remain in a state of extended gestation, and report the results of a study undertaken to better understand the factors that affect the growth of EERE businesses.     

The use and value of qualitative research studies

Qualitative research provides rich insights into many marketing problems and, with appropriate interpretation, will provide detailed solutions. This article describes the benefits of conducting qualitative research and cites its appropriateness to specific marketing questions. Examples of qualitative research and its application to marketing and business decisions are provided.